Autonomous technology has the potential to change the automotive landscape as we know it. Enthusiasts are dreading the possibility of not having direct control of a car, but some are embracing a future of self-driving cars that will make commuting less of a chore. DS, a sub-division of French automaker Citroen, has attempted to satisfy both camps with the E-Tense Concept, a 1,341-hp EV envisioning what electric supercars will be like in the year 2035. If they're going to look as breathtakingly beautiful as this, we won't be complaining.
Designed by a collective of men and women at DS Automobiles, the concept features an innovative asymmetrical layout with each side offering a distinctly different experience. On one side is a speedster-style open cockpit where the driver can operate the car with traditional manual controls. On the other side there's room for two in a "soothing cocoon" surrounded by glass and a sumptuous mix of leather, wood and metal materials, allowing the driver to sit back and let the car's autonomous tech take over. Powering the concept is a pair of electric motors. Located in the front wheels, they produce a combined output of 540 horsepower for road use.
Activate 'Circuit mode' on a racetrack, and the concept gives you 1,360 hp to play with. It's ultra-light thanks to a carbon fiber chassis, and the innovative suspension has been developed by the company's Formula E racing team. It's certainly an intriguing concept, even if it wouldn't be very practical in the real world. Driver visibility would be non-existent on the right side of the car thanks to the enclosed cabin, but the chances of the DS X E-Tense ever becoming a reality are practically zero.